Cycling Le Puy to SJPdP

[Almarie jv Rensburg]

My husband and myself are planning cycling from Le Puy to SJPdP starting last week of June 2017. I have walked the portugues camino and have an idea of camino basics. We are planning on buying bicycles at the decathlon shop in Le Puy. We will purchase panniers in south Africa and pack accordingly. I bought the Cicerone guide book by John Higgens which seems to be good. Is the markers good for cyclists? Advice on buying and selling a bike will be much appreciated as well. Looking forward to any advice!!

 

[jony jony]

Look here for a cheap bike that is more than capable of doing what you are planning http://www.intersport.fr/vtc_homme-multicolore-fit_100-nakamura-p-5002362M23/

Some 8 years ago i bought one of these bikes , or rather the previous model of this bike , which at that time only cost 125 Euros .

To date i have covered more than 7000 Klms on it , including the Camino Francais , Morocco , Spain and almost always loaded with about 12 -14 kgs of baggage . I cannot praise this bike enough considering the price . I have changed the chain once , brake pads twice and had 2 sets of tyres and thats it , so if you do pass an intersport shop then it is certainly worth having a look round .

Have a great time .

 

[Almarie jv Rensburg]

Look here for a cheap bike that is more than capable of doing what you are planning http://www.intersport.fr/vtc_homme-multicolore-fit_100-nakamura-p-5002362M23/

Some 8 years ago i bought one of these bikes , or rather the previous model of this bike , which at that time only cost 125 Euros .

To date i have covered more than 7000 Klms on it , including the Camino Francais , Morocco , Spain and almost always loaded with about 12 -14 kgs of baggage . I cannot praise this bike enough considering the price . I have changed the chain once , brake pads twice and had 2 sets of tyres and thats it , so if you do pass an intersport shop then it is certainly worth having a look round .

Have a great time .

Thank you so much!! Will look into it! Any advice on the type of panniers to use?

 

[jony jony]

These ( the previous model , but essentially the same ) are what i use .......https://www.decathlon.fr/sacoche-double-500-id_8364728.html . The total capacity is about 40 lts which was just about enough with my sleeping bag wrapped in a waterproof plastic rubbish bag and strapped between the 2 panniers .
Mine are now getting a little worn, so shortly i will be buying these for my next, and last "adventure Ride " ......http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUT...6571942?hash=item2ca037caa6:g:jKwAAOSwgQ9V0yP . For the price i am of course not expecting high quality , but , if they keep my baggage dry for a couple of weeks then thats all i ask .

Regards.....John

 

[Marion-SantiagoInLove]

Is the markers good for cyclists?

A quick answer would "no"... but as always, there is plenty room for moderation. (Note: I'm not a biker, but...)

First thing to know, the French route and the routes in Spain(-Portugal) are not comparable when talking about the paths and their physical features. Advises can not apply to one another. The Caminos in France are mapped for hikers through the most natural path possible, while in Spain, they are build to allow everyone to use them or use existing roads. There are exceptions of course, but that's the general idea. The French GR are indeed made by the FFRP, the French Federation for Pedestrian Trails.

Bikers are extremely rare on Le Puy route and when I come to think of it, I've never seen any while walking... The ones who "do it" actually mostly do a side-Camino. Also, guidebooks and those who did it this way advise not to do it a beginners, but to have a good experience of (moutain) biking... do you have it?
On the stretch from Le Puy to ~Moissac, it's mostly not possible to follow the same path than the pilgrims on foot, unless you have (quoting the Miam Miam Dodo, greatest guidebook reference for this route) a "death wish". This is the central mountain of France, so the landscape is mostly uneven and steep whether you go up or gown. There are many un-doable stretches. You'll have to take the road a lot, missing the most emblematic part of this Camino.
From ~Moissac to SJPdP, you're out of of the mountains. It's still very hilly with lots of delicate parts, but obviously more doable.
Like I said, I'm not a biker. However, I've walked Le Puy and found it hard enough on foot as it is: I personally would not do it with a loaded bike! Travel agencies who offer to do this route by bike make people take mostly the road. I also invite you to Google-translate theses pages by 2 French bikers who did Le Puy route: (certainly a goldmine of tips!)
- Le Puy to Cahors ~~ Cahors to Ostabat ~~ Ostabat to SJPdP
- More info and details on this website

I don't know much about bikes, but from what I get, a VTT (mountain bike) and VTC (all-ways bike) are not the same. And a VTT seems to be a way better option for Le Puy route than a VTC... But again, I'm really not a specialist... Note that if you buy your bikes in France, you'll most likely have to deal with non-English speaker!
I'd advise you to get a map where you can see the Camino, but more importantly, the roads around. Here's a book (in French...) dedicated to the Le Puy route by bike.
Finally, know that planning may be tricky, as pilgrims on foot have priority on those with a bike. Be sure to tell the accommodation owners you're on bike! It may prevent you from bad surprises...

I hope you don't find this post too dark!
I wish you a nice (and strong!) preparation, and to enjoy your Camino!
Bon Chemin!

 

[Kanga]

The last time I walked the Le Puy I met a lovely woman who was "doing" the route on a bike, having previously done it by foot. She said it was a quite different journey. She preferred it by foot. The route on the bike called for constant vigilance and attention, always looking down at the path ahead, which was wearying, and did not allow her to take in the surroundings and to meditate and relax, as she had while walking.

 

[Almarie jv Rensburg]

A quick answer would "no"... but as always, there is plenty room for moderation. (Note: I'm not a biker, but...)

First thing to know, the French route and the routes in Spain(-Portugal) are not comparable when talking about the paths and their physical features. Advises can not apply to one another. The Caminos in France are mapped for hikers through the most natural path possible, while in Spain, they are build to allow everyone to use them or use existing roads. There are exceptions of course, but that's the general idea. The French GR are indeed made by the FFRP, the French Federation for Pedestrian Trails.

Bikers are extremely rare on Le Puy route and when I come to think of it, I've never seen any while walking... The ones who "do it" actually mostly do a side-Camino. Also, guidebooks and those who did it this way advise not to do it a beginners, but to have a good experience of (moutain) biking... do you have it?
On the stretch from Le Puy to ~Moissac, it's mostly not possible to follow the same path than the pilgrims on foot, unless you have (quoting the Miam Miam Dodo, greatest guidebook reference for this route) a "death wish". This is the central mountain of France, so the landscape is mostly uneven and steep whether you go up or gown. There are many un-doable stretches. You'll have to take the road a lot, missing the most emblematic part of this Camino.
From ~Moissac to SJPdP, you're out of of the mountains. It's still very hilly with lots of delicate parts, but obviously more doable.
Like I said, I'm not a biker. However, I've walked Le Puy and found it hard enough on foot as it is: I personally would not do it with a loaded bike! Travel agencies who offer to do this route by bike make people take mostly the road. I also invite you to Google-translate theses pages by 2 French bikers who did Le Puy route: (certainly a goldmine of tips!)
- Le Puy to Cahors ~~ Cahors to Ostabat ~~ Ostabat to SJPdP
- More info and details on this website

I don't know much about bikes, but from what I get, a VTT (mountain bike) and VTC (all-ways bike) are not the same. And a VTT seems to be a way better option for Le Puy route than a VTC... But again, I'm really not a specialist... Note that if you buy your bikes in France, you'll most likely have to deal with non-English speaker!
I'd advise you to get a map where you can see the Camino, but more importantly, the roads around. Here's a book (in French...) dedicated to the Le Puy route by bike.
Finally, know that planning may be tricky, as pilgrims on foot have priority on those with a bike. Be sure to tell the accommodation owners you're on bike! It may prevent you from bad surprises...

I hope you don't find this post too dark!
I wish you a nice (and strong!) preparation, and to enjoy your Camino!
Bon Chemin!

Thanks for all the info!! It is much appreciated!! You have given us much to think about....as i am not an experienced mountainbiker, but my husband has knee issues so he is not a strong walker... hence we were going to ride on minor roads as suggested in the guide book that i have....we will have to rethink.....

 

[Almarie jv Rensburg]

Th

The last time I walked the Le Puy I met a lovely woman who was "doing" the route on a bike, having previously done it by foot. She said it was a quite different journey. She preferred it by foot. The route on the bike called for constant vigilance and attention, always looking down at the path ahead, which was wearying, and did not allow her to take in the surroundings and to meditate and relax, as she had while walking.[/QUOTE

Thank you!! We will have to make some decisions!!

 

[Almarie jv Rensburg]

These ( the previous model , but essentially the same ) are what i use .......https://www.decathlon.fr/sacoche-double-500-id_8364728.html . The total capacity is about 40 lts which was just about enough with my sleeping bag wrapped in a waterproof plastic rubbish bag and strapped between the 2 panniers .
Mine are now getting a little worn, so shortly i will be buying these for my next, and last "adventure Ride " ......http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUT...6571942?hash=item2ca037caa6:g:jKwAAOSwgQ9V0yP . For the price i am of course not expecting high quality , but , if they keep my baggage dry for a couple of weeks then thats all i ask .

Regards.....John

Thank you!! Once again great help!!